Medical Marvel: Humanoid Robots 'Surgie' Perform World's First Gallbladder Surgery on Pigs

SAN DIEGO: In a groundbreaking development that could reshape the future of medical science, two humanoid robots have successfully performed surgery on pigs. Nicknamed 'Surgie,' these teleoperated robots safely removed the gallbladder from the pigs' abdomens. This unprecedented experiment, conducted by doctors and engineers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), marks the debut of general-purpose humanoid robots in a standard surgical setting.

What makes this achievement particularly remarkable is that no specialized, custom-built surgical robots were used. The research team utilized two commercially available humanoid robots. Standing about 4 to 5 feet tall, these machines cost less than $20,000 (approximately ₹19 lakh)—a fraction of the price of traditional, dedicated surgical robotic systems.

Performing Complex Laparoscopic Surgery

The robots performed a highly intricate procedure known as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which involves removing the gallbladder without making a large incision. Demonstrating precision similar to that of human surgeons, the robots carefully retracted surrounding tissues, applied clips to veins, and safely extracted the gallbladder without causing any damage to the liver.

Two Different Surgical Approaches:

1. Human-Robot Team: In the first surgery, a single humanoid robot took the lead role, assisted by a human surgeon who managed the camera and instruments.

2. Robot-Robot Team: In the second procedure, no human assistance was required at the operating table; two humanoid robots worked collaboratively to complete the entire surgery.

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To make general-purpose humanoid robots capable of executing such delicate tasks, the research team designed custom physical adapters. These allowed the robots to securely and precisely grip standard surgical tools.

Additionally, they developed highly specialized software to bridge the gap between the surgeon and the machine. This software effortlessly translates the hand gestures and movements of a remote human surgeon into precise actions, controlling the surgical tools attached to the robots' wrists.

The Goal: Expanding Access to Surgical Care

The comprehensive details of this successful trial were published in the prestigious science journal Nature on July 8. According to the university, the experiment was a resounding success.

The ultimate goal of this testing phase is to address the critical shortage of specialized medical care. In the future, this technology could facilitate immediate, high-quality treatment and surgical procedures for patients in remote, rural, or under-resourced areas where expert surgeons are unavailable.

Dr. Ryan Broderick, the interim director of the 'Center for the Future of Surgery' at UC San Diego, highlighted the significance of the achievement. He stated that, as a 'proof of concept,' this experiment has been entirely successful, proving the clinical potential of mobile humanoid robots in the operating room.